Channel support for bricks



Dec. 8, 1936. E. WALLACE CHANNEL SUPPORT FOR BRICKS Filed Feb. 19, 1936ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 8, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EugeneWallace, Detroit, Mich, assignor to David A. Wallace, Detroit, Mich.

Application February 19, 1936, Serial No. 64,643

15 Claims.

The present invention relates to means for supporting bricks in abuilding structure, and has special reference to structures such as aredisclosed in the co -pending application of David A.

Wallace, filed December 13, 1935, Serial No.

54,182, on which this invention constitutes an improvement.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide means forsupporting a plurality of bricks in strip form whereby they may beassembled in a wall as a single unit, the means being such that it isadapted to be secured directly to a building frame or to an existingwall to support the bricks after they are assembled in the wall. l5 Themeans thus provides for the individual support of each horizontal row ofbricks and the mortar, which subsequently to the wall assembly is placedin the voids between the bricks, assumes none of the load of supportingthe bricks. The means for supporting the bricks, as in the case referredto above, constitutes a metal channel and this invention has to do moreparticularly with certain structural features which increase theefficiency of the channel for its intended purpose.

In the present case the channels include two parallel, or substantiallyparallel, side walls so formed and supported by the web portion of thechannel that they exert a comparatively high degree of pressure inwardlyupon bricks received within the channels. In addition, the edges of thechannel side walls are bent inwardly so that instead of providing asurface contact between the channel side walls and the bricks, thecontacting surface on the channels is only equal to the cross sectionalthickness thereof. This comparatively narrow contacting surface on thechannel, combined with a high degree of pressure results in an importantfeature of the invention. For example, the channels are made in lengthswhereby they support several bricks and a preferred mode of assembly isto insert the bricks at one end of the channel and. slide themlengthwise to their proper position with respect thereto. During thissliding movement the knife-like edges on the channels press against theflat surfaces of the bricks and wear a groove in the surfaces of thebricks, and although this groove is hardly appreciable it is a fact thatit 50 is present and it materially increases the holding action of thechannel with respect to the bricks. This function may be increased byroughening the contacting surfaces on the channels, as by filing, butfor ordinary purposes the edges of the strip as originally cut aresufiiciently rough to provide for the wearing of a groove in the bricks.

The channels, with the bricks held therein, are assembled in parallelspaced apart relation on a building structure, and subsequently to suchassembly mortar is placed in the voids between the bricks and fills thespaces between adjacent pairs of channels. After the mortar sets itrigidifies the side walls of the channels and positively holds them inengagement with the bricks. In connection with the insertion of mortarin this manner it is another object of the invention to provide thechannels with means for increasing the effectiveness of the bond betweenthe mortar and the channels so as to eliminate any possibility of themortar being removed from between the bricks and channels.

With the above and other ends in view the invention is more fullydisclosed with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which 20 Figure1 is a side elevation of a channel and brick assembly;

Fig. 2 is a transverse section thereof;

Fig. 3 is an elevation illustrating a detail of construction;

Fig. 4 is a transverse section thereof;

Fig. 5 is an elevation illustrating a mortar bonding means;

Fig. 6 is a transverse section thereof;

Fig. 7 is an elevation illustrating another form of mortar bondingmeans;

Fig. 8 is a transverse section thereof;

Fig. 9 is an elevation illustrating still another form of mortar bondingmeans, and

Fig. 10 is a transverse section thereof.

Like characters of reference are employed throughout to designatecorresponding parts.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 the numeral l designates the web part of ametal channel having flexible side walls 2 with inwardly directedportions 3 at their upper edges. Welded to the web I of the channel is areinforcing strip having lengthwise extending corrugations 4 andlaterally projecting flange forming portions 5, the portions 5 providinga means through which nails or other securing elements may be driven tosecure the channels to a wood support, such as the joists of a woodframe building. In cases of metal building frames the portions 5 will bebolted to the metal frame members, or if desired, they may be Welded tothe metal frame members.

Received within the channel are bricks 6 and the mode of inserting thebricks is preferably by lengthwise sliding movement. That is to say,

the bricks are inserted one after another in the end of the channel andthen slid lengthwise thereof to their proper position. Due to thecomparatively narrow width of the edge surfaces of the inturned portions3 which engage the sides of the bricks, the sliding movement of thebricks relative to the channels causes a slight groove to be worn in thebricks which increases the holding action of the channels with respectto the bricks. Obviously, in order to have such a wearing function it isnecessary that the inward pressure of the side walls of the channel mustbe fairly high.

The necessary pressure is attained by reinforcing the web I so that itcannot flex.

In forming a unit of a single-channel with'a plurality of bricks thereinit is obvious that irregularities in the size of the bricks would effectthe holding action of the channel with respect to the bricks. Forexample, if one of thebricks happened to have a local high spot, thishigh spot would be the only part engaged by the channel side wall, or ifone brick were wider than the next one the widest brick would space thechannel walls so that under ordinary circumstance the narrow brick wouldnot be securely held. To overcome this undesirable feature the sidewalls 2 of the channel are provided with a series of spaced apart kerfs1 as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, so that the retaining walls adaptthemselves to local irregularities in the individual bricks and also toirregularities in the sizes of different bricks. In addition, each kerfpresents a gouging joint which increases the groove wearing functionreferred to above.

In addition to the kerfs 1, Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate another feature ofthe invention. The side walls 2, having the kerfs I therein and theinturned portions 3 for engagement with the bricks 6, instead of beingintegrally united by a one piece web as described in connection withFig. 2 are provided with inwardly directed portions I which are weldedto the reinforcing strip 4'.

In the form illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 the web la of the channel has aseries of lengthwise extending corrugations 8 and a flat strip 4a iswelded thereto to reinforce it to such an extent that it cannot flex. Inthis form the side walls 9 of the channel have a series of apertures Iwhich provide for bonding of mortar between adjacent pairs of channelswhen such channels are assembled in a wall. In this form the walls 9have inwardly directed portions H which engage the bricks I2 andtherefore a space 6 is present between the walls 9. When plastic mortaris placed in contact with the outside surfaces of the walls 9 the mortarflows through the apertures l0 and becomes bonded thereto when it sets.

In the form shown in Figs. and 6, as in the forms described above, thereinforcing member 4a is extended beyond the side walls of the channelside walls 9 in such manner to provide means for securing the channelsto supports, the extended portions of the reinforcements beingdesignated by the characters 511 and 5b. It will be noted that theprojecting parts 51) are offset from the plane of the portions 5a sothat when a plurality of channels are placed side by side the parts 5aof one channel may be locked beneath the parts 5b of the next adjacentchannel.

As illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, the side walls [3 may be provided witha plurality of outwardly bent arms 14 which become imbedded in mortarplaced between adjacent channel walls when the channels are assembled ina wall. The arms l4 thus increase the bonding action between thechannels and the mortar, and in addition, the formation of each arm l4results in a gouge-like point which increases the groove wearing actionabove referred to.

As illustrated in Figs. 9 and the channel walls l5 may be provided witha series of prongs l6 which are bent outwardly thereof so as to beimbedded in the mortar referred to above. In the forms illustrated inFigs. 7 and 8 and in Figs. 9 and 10, the reinforcing element, describedin connection with the other forms, is dispensed with. Fig. 8illustrates a nailing flange l1 formed integral with the side walls 9and web 1, whereas in Fig. 10 the nailing flange is dispensed with. Inthis latter form the channel will be secured to supports by nailing atthe spaces [8 between adjacent bricks l9.

Although specific embodiments of the invention have been illustrated anddescribed it will be understood that various changes may be made withinthe scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit ofthe invention, and such changes are contemplated.

What I claim is:-

1. A channel shaped body having resiliently yieldable side walls, facingelements received in said channel shaped body, said side walls havingcomparatively narrow contact surfaces disposed inwardly of the channelshaped body with respect to the inner surfaces of said side walls andengaging adjacent surfaces of said facing elements, said contactsurfaces normally being spaced apart a distance less than the width ofsaid facing elements whereby the latter are held between said contactsurfaces by friction induced through inserting them therebetween.

2. In combination, a channel having resiliently yieldable side Walls,facing elements received in said channel, said side walls having theiredges bent inwardly of the channel whereby the comparatively narrow edgesurfaces thereof engage adjacent surfaces of the facing elements toretain them within said channel, said edge surfaces normally beingspaced apart a distance less than the width of said facing elementswhereby the latter are held between said contact surfaces by frictioninduced through inserting them therebetween.

3. In combination, a channel having resiliently yieldable side walls,facing elements received in said channel, said side walls having theiredges bent inwardly of the channel whereby the comparatively narrow edgesurfaces thereof engage the facing elements to retain them within saidchannel, the side walls of said channels having a plurality of spacedapart kerfs.

4. In combination, a channel having; resiliently yieldable side Walls,facing elements received in said channel, said side walls having theiredges bent inwardly of the channel whereby the comparatively narrow edgesurfaces thereof engage the facing elements to retain them within saidchannel, the edge surfaces of said side walls being rough wherebylengthwise sliding movement of said facing elements with respect to thechannel causes said surfaces to wear a groove in the surfaces of saidfacing elements.

5. In combination, a channel having resiliently yieldable side walls,facing elements received in said channel, said side walls having theiredges bent inwardly of the channel whereby the comparatively narrow edgesurfaces thereof engage the facing elements to retain them within saidchannel, the side walls of said channels having a plurality of spacedapart kerfs,.the said kerfs adapting said side walls for the retentionof facing elements having surface irregularities and presenting aplurality of gouge-like points in said edge surfaces whereby lengthwisesliding movement of the facing elements with respect to the channelcauses a groove to be formed in the surfaces thereof.

6. In combination, a channel having resiliently yieldable side walls,facing elements received in said channel, said side walls having theiredges bent inwardly of the channel whereby the comparatively narrow edgesurfaces thereof engage the facing elements to retain them within saidchannel, the side walls of said channel being severed at spaced pointsto provide outwardly directed mortar bonding means.

7. In combination, a channel having resiliently yieldable side walls,facing elements received in said channel, said side walls having theiredges bent inwardly of the channel whereby the comparatively narrow edgesurfaces thereof engage the facing elements to retain them within saidchannel, the side walls of said channel being severed at spaced pointsto provide outwardly directed mortar bonding means, the severedformation of said side walls being such as to present a plurality ofgouge-like points in the edge surfaces of said side walls wherebylengthwise movement of the facing elements with respect to the channelcauses grooves to be formed in the surfaces of said facing elements.

8. In combination, a channel having resiliently yieldable side walls,facing elements received in said channel, said side walls having theiredges bent inwardly of the channel whereby the comparatively narrow edgesurfaces thereof engage the facing elements to retain them within saidchannel and whereby the inner surfaces of the walls are spaced from theengaged surfaces of said facing elements, said side walls being formedwith mortar bonding means adapted to permit mortar to enter the spacesbetween said side walls and forcing elements.

9. In combination, a channel having resiliently yieldable side walls,facing elements received in said channel, said side walls having theiredges bent inwardly of the channel whereby the comparatively narrow edgesurfaces thereof engage the facing elements to retain them within saidchannel and whereby the inner surfaces of the walls are spaced from theengaged surfaces of said facing elements, said side walls being formedwith mortar bonding means, said mortar bonding means comprising spacedapertures in said side walls through which mortar may seep into spacesbetween the side walls and the facing elements.

10. In combination, a channel having resiliently yieldable side walls,facing elements received in said channel, said side walls having theiredges bent inwardly of the channel whereby the comparatively narrow edgesurfaces thereof engage the facing elements to retain them within saidchannel, said side walls being formed with mortar bonding means, saidmortar bonding means comprising spaced prongs projecting outwardly ofthe side walls.

11. In combination, a channel having resiliently yieldable side walls,facing elements received in said channel, said side walls having theiredges bent inwardly of the channel whereby the comparatively narrow edgesurfaces thereof engage the facing elements to retain them within saidchannel, said channel having integrally united outwardly directedretainer receiving flanges extending throughout the length thereofwhereby the same may be attached to supports between the ends of thefacing elements.

12. In combination, a channel having resiliently yieldable side walls,facing elements received in said channel, said side walls having theiredges bent inwardly of the channel whereby the comparatively narrow edgesurfaces thereof engage the facing elements to retain them within saidchannel, said channel having a web portion integrally uniting said sidewalls and having a series of corrugations therein, and a reinforcementunited with said web and preventing flexing thereof, said reinforcementcomprising a plate which cooperates with said corrugations to provide aplurality of dead air spaces.

13. In combination, a channel having resiliently yieldable side walls,facing elements received in said channel, said side walls having theiredges bent inwardly of the channel whereby the comparatively narrow edgesurfaces thereof engage the facing elements to retain them within saidchannel, said channel having a web portion integrally uniting said sidewalls, and a reinforcement united with said web and preventing flexingthereof, said reinforcement being extended beyond the planes of the sidewalls and providing a flange adapted to be secured to a support.

14. In combination, a channel having resiliently yieldable side walls,facing elements received in said channel, said side walls having theiredges bent inwardly of the channel whereby the comparatively narrow edgesurfaces thereof engage the facing elements to retain them within saidchannel, said channel having a web portion integrally uniting said sidewalls, and a reinforcement united with said web and preventing flexingthereof, at least one of the web or reinforcement being provided with aseries of corrugations providing a dead air space between the web andreinforcement.

15. In combination, a channel having resiliently yieldable side walls,facing elements received in said channel, said side walls having theiredges bent inwardly of the channel whereby the comparatively narrow edgesurfaces thereof engage the facing elements to retain them within saidchannel, the side walls of said channels having a plurality of spacedapart kerfs, said kerfs adapting said side walls for the retention offacing elements having surface irregularities and presenting a pluralityof gouge-like points in said edge surfaces whereby lengthwise slidingmovement of the facing elements with respect to the channel causes agroove to be formed in the surfaces thereof, and means reinforcing saidchannel whereby to prevent flexing thereof and to maintain the flexibleside walls pressed into engagement with said facing elements.

EUGENE WALLACE.

